Our Staff
Jaimie Hutchison - Director
hutchj@msu.edu | (517) 884-7315
Jaimie Hutchison is the Director of the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University, supporting MSU’s recruitment and retention of a high performing workforce and the wellbeing of a diverse community of staff and scholars. Jaimie and her team contribute to the development of MSU’s policies and special initiatives, and the office oversees MSU’s University-wide work-life strategies. The office administers a range of programs for faculty, staff, academic staff, and postdocs, including those focused on mental health, workplace flexibility, dependent care, family support, workplace culture, career development, leadership, and workplace-based well-being. Jaimie has worked for 24 years as a leader, therapist, consultant, director, supervisor, trainer, mentor, and administrator. In addition to her work-life role, she is also a therapist at Insight Counseling working primarily with tweens, teens, and families. Jaimie is highly engaged with the local community and has volunteered over 10,000 hours.
Jaimie received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University, her master’s degree in community counseling from the University of Northern Colorado, and a post-master’s certificate in school counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Jaimie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. Jaimie and her family are proud Spartans and enjoy the diverse events and activities that MSU and the Greater Lansing area have to offer. Jaimie is the mother of one teen and has been married to her spouse, Wayne (also a Spartan), for 24 years.
Jaimie is currently serving a three-year term for the College and University Work-Life-Family Association (CUFWA) Board of Directors. Jaimie also co-chairs the Membership Engagement Committee with Lourdes Rodrigues, Manager of Childcare and Family Resources, Life & Work Connections at the University of Arizona. Jaimie’s interests in her role on the CUFWA Board include membership engagement, leading initiatives to promote personal and workplace well-being, and being part of a vibrant, knowledgeable team in efforts to move our institutions forward by being leaders and innovators in the work-life industry.
Ebony Lucas - Consultant
lucase@msu.edu | (517) 884-7316
Ebony Lucas is a Social Worker with over fifteen years of experience providing person-centered services to diverse hard-to-reach populations. Ebony received her bachelor’s degree in Africana studies and a master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University.
Ebony has worked with Doctors without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières-MSF), an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organization (NGO) of French origin best known for its projects in conflict zones and in countries affected by endemic diseases. In June 2020, the organization became active in the United States to address the pandemic.
Most recently, Ebony served as a Wellness Support Officer providing supportive services to the ‘hardest hit’ nursing homes in Michigan. Prior to that she served as the Project Coordinator for the AmeriCorps Domestic Violence program at Wayne State University. The AmeriCorps Domestic Violence Program provided necessary services to victims of intimate partner violence.
She has experiences studying abroad in several African countries including West and South Africa. Where she studied the religious and secular influences on everyday culture.
Ebony is a married mother of one who enjoys traveling and reading. Ebony and her family are proud Michiganders who enjoy the diverse activities of the University. Ebony is passionate about promoting work-life principles to improve everyday life and the overall employee experience.
Rachel Perez - Consultant
gonza243@msu.edu | (517) 355-1528
Rachel Perez is a WorkLife Consultant for the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University (MSU). She brings nine years of Human Resources experience as well as a bachelor’s degree from MSU’s Eli Broad College of Business. Rachel has served as an HR Coordinator and an Assistant Health & Safety Coordinator for the Student Life & Engagement division. In these positions, her teams benefited greatly from her project management and program coordination experience. As an HR Generalist for the MSU HR Solutions Center, she was able to advocate for faculty and staff members throughout the processes of hiring, benefits enrollment, and training, while considering their emotional and cultural needs as they begin a transition in their career.
Rachel has a passion for working with MSU’s diverse faculty, staff, and students. Serving as a resource to our diverse communities has given her great pride in her work at MSU as well as when she began her career as an Enrollment Counselor at the University of Phoenix. In this position, she guided students through the process of enrollment, major designation, financial planning, and all major changes in their educational paths.
Fostering MSU’s values of inclusiveness and equity, Rachel has proudly served as a Project Manager for MSU’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Committee as well as a member of the DEI Advisory Board for Student Life & Engagement. She is a certified CPR/AED trainer and is trained in workplace violence prevention through the Crisis Prevention Institute. Furthering her education, Rachel is currently enrolled into the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations through MSU’s College of Social Science. She looks forward to utilizing her education and experience to support our faculty and staff towards their wellbeing at work and in their personal lives. Rachel also has a limited working proficiency in Spanish speaking skills that she brings to the team.
Rachel is a mother of 3 children and is married to an MSU Spartan as well, go green! In her free time, she stays active as a Zumba Instructor through MSU’s Recreational Sports and Fitness Services department. She also enjoys playing volleyball, running, and outdoor activities including hiking, camping, and spending time at the beach.
Alaina Charette - Operations Coordinator
charet36@msu.edu | (517) 353-1635
Alaina is the Operations Coordinator for the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University. She was raised in Williamston, Michigan and received her bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Central Michigan University. She began her career after college working as a Nursing Home Administrator in different regions across northern Michigan. In recent years, she has worked at the Sparrow Herbert-Herman Cancer Center as the Administrative Assistant supporting its leadership and operations.
In her free time, Alaina enjoys hiking, photography, biking and traveling. She has a passion for helping others and is very excited to be part of the team at the WorkLife Office. Go Green!
Student Interns
Student Clerical Assistant III
Emerson is a second year student at Michigan State University studying General Business, and hoping to change to marketing in the Fall of 2022. Emerson will be applying to the Eli Broad School of Business in the Fall as well, to further her learning within the Business School. Emerson was involved in several community service organizations throughout High School, such as the National Honors Society and Haslett Community Church Youth Group. There, she aided communities with various projects, one being a mission trip to Rockford, Illinois in summer of 2019. Emerson has had experience in retail and customer service, as well as administrative experience with a small plastic recycling business, Michigan Polymer Reclaim, located in St. Johns, Michigan. Emerson also grew up as a competitive dancer at a local dance studio, Greater Lansing Academy of Dance / Premier Dance Company, where she now coaches competitive and recreational dancers. Emerson can be described as a huge people person, very outgoing, and extremely organized.
Bella Berns
Graduate Student, Masters of Social Work
Family Services & Social Work Intern
Bella Berns and is a first-year graduate student in the School of Social Work here at MSU and is the Graduate Intern for the Worklife Office this year.
Bella received her Bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Studies also at MSU, with a focus on Youth and Society. She is proud to be a double Spartan! Bella thoroughly enjoys connecting with the MSU community as well as helping them find resources. Bella often volunteers with local school districts and children’s organizations to better impact their daily lives and activities. During her undergraduate education Bella was involved with local East Lansing community services organizations such as Dance Marathon. Bella also held a position through Residential and Hospitality Services as an MSU Tour Guide.
Bella enjoys cooking in her free time as well as working out and hanging with her friends. A fun fact about Bella is that she played badminton in High School. Bella is excited to be a part of this wonderful team at the Worklife Office.
Tess Bond
Senior, Social Work
Family Services & Social Work Intern
Tess was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan until she moved to East Lansing for college. She is a 4th year student (Senior) at Michigan State University where she majors in social work and minors in human behavior and social services. She plans on furthering her academic career by attending graduate school to earn an MSW degree, in hopes of someday pursuing a career in clinical social work. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with her loved ones. A fun fact about Tessa is that this summer, she spent a month in the UK studying abroad.
Remon (Shahriar) Hossain
Senior, Psychology
Family Services & Social Work Intern
Remon Hossain is a Bangladeshi American who was born in New York and raised in Detroit. He is a senior at MSU studying psychology. e began pursuing this degree and career path through his own personal experiences with MSU CAPS – he realized how much he wanted to help people like he was helped. He has a huge passion for understanding emotions, and discussing thoughts and feelings with others. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, writing, and making music. He is super excited to be a part of the MSU WorkLife team!
Ky (Vanessa) Nguyen
Senior, Psychology
Family Services & Social Work Intern
Ky Nguyen is an incoming senior at Michigan State University majoring in Psychology and minoring in Law, Justice, and Public Policy. She is involved in the MSU Vietnamese Culture Union (Vice President) and International Student Association (Secretary). She is also working as an International Student Ambassador for the Office of Admissions. Vanessa loves everything music-related and is also an enthusiast when it comes to different cultures and languages. She is ecstatic to start a new journey as an intern at MSU WorkLife!
Nyah Phillips
Senior, Interdisciplinary, Social Science
Research and Project Intern
Nyah Phillips is a Research and Project Intern with the Worklife Office here at MSU. She is entering her senior year this fall where she majors in Interdisciplinary studies in social science with a specialization in community governance and advocacy. Additionally, she double minors in business and leadership of organizations, and is excited to be a part of this opportunity!
Chahat Sharma
Senior, Nutritional Sciences in Public Health
Employee Relations Intern
Chahat Sharma is currently majoring in Nutritional Sciences in Public Health with a minor in Health Promotion. As an international student, Chahat understands and values the importance of diversity and inclusion. She will be a Senior in the fall and has the goal of working in public health and with the community. She is really excited to work with the WorkLife Office at Michigan State University.
